President Trump Welcomes India’s Prime Minister, Also Talks Tariffs

On Thursday, President Donald Trump met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

In his quest to make trade deficits disappear, he welcomed Modi with open arms.

But quickly reminded him that India won’t be getting a free pass on those tariffs.

President Trump pitched the idea of balancing the $50 billion trade deficit by selling more U.S. energy to India.

Makes sense to me.

Meanwhile, he teased a major trade deal is in the works.

NOW – Trump announces reciprocal tariffs on India. pic.twitter.com/dbFFap28Fv

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 13, 2025

AP News reports:

President Donald Trump greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House with a bear hug on Thursday and called him “a great friend of mine,” but nonetheless warned that India won’t be spared from higher tariffs he’s begun imposing on U.S. trade partners around the world.

Trump, who had previously derided India as the “tariff king,” called the import levies imposed by Modi’s country “very unfair and strong.”

“Whatever India charges, we charge them,” Trump said at a joint news conference where he stood next to Modi. “So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge.”

As he has while recently hosting other foreign leaders, Trump talked about ensuring that the U.S. erases its trade deficit with India. He suggested that could be done by increasing U.S. energy exports to India but also promised to restore “fairness and reciprocity” to the economic relationship and said he and Modi had begun working on a major trade deal that could be completed later this year.

The U.S. and India have a trade deficit of $50 billion in India’s favor. The Indo-U.S. goods and services trade totaled around $190.1 billion in 2023. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, the U.S. exports to India were worth nearly $70 billion and imports $120 billion.

Modi, meanwhile, continued his personal trend of laving praise on Trump. The prime minister said that he’s determined to “Make India Great Again,” or “MIGA” — a play on the president’s “MAGA” or “Make America Great Again” catchphrase and movement.

Trump also said he’d back extraditing one of the plotters of the 2008 Mumbai attacks — appearing to referencing Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was convicted in 2011 in the U.S. for plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper.

“He’s going to be going back to India to face justice,” Trump said. The president later added, “We’re giving him back to India immediately” and that more such extraditions could be coming.

REPORTER: How much more confident are you with President Trump leading this country… vs. with Biden's incompetence and weakness over the last four years?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: "That's your question, but I'll answer it. I agree with you — gross incompetence." 🤣 pic.twitter.com/gVWBXlnqeM

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 13, 2025

Great to see a real leader back at the helm of this country.

With the PM of India standing right next to him, Trump calls out India for unfair trade rules and vows to make it fair.

Yes, this is what we voted for.

pic.twitter.com/lfPGyoZIl4

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 13, 2025

This meeting wasn’t without a classic relatable and hilarious Trump moment.

"I can't understand a word he said" ☠️ pic.twitter.com/CxSbOrmFDz

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 13, 2025